Anais

I went into this series completely blind, and I must say, it was a refreshing experience. Many people found the plot hard to follow, but for me, that challenge was a welcome change. I dislike when writers overly simplify the story and spoon-feed the audience, so the complexity and mystery kept me engaged. Even though I didn’t know all the details from the start, I was able to pick up on the key elements quickly. My advice is simple: focus on what the story reveals, not what you don’t know yet.

At its core, the story revolves around Ning'er, a woman driven by an unrelenting ambition to become Empress. Her ruthless quest for power leads her to betray Yan Lin, her childhood friend, after his family is massacred. However, her ascent is short-lived, as the Emperor dies and Xie Wei, along with Yan Lin, stages a rebellion that seizes control from her. In a desperate attempt to save Zhang Zhe, a righteous scholar and the man she loves, Ning’er makes a drastic decision that alters the course of her fate. She commits suicide in exchange for his freedom, only to wake up in the past, determined to avoid repeating the mistakes of her former life.

What makes this series so compelling is its exploration of power, betrayal, and redemption. The political intrigue is woven with themes of family strife, personal ambition, and the consequences of one's actions. The show is not without its darker moments, but the execution sometimes felt mismatched—while the story is heavy and dramatic, the production uses bright colors, humor, and slow-motion shots that created a strange contrast with the weight of the plot. Despite this, the story itself is gripping, with surprising twists and complex character relationships that kept me hooked as I discovered more with each episode.

The performances are captivating, particularly Zhang Ling He’s portrayal of Xie Wei. He embodies a character that’s ruthless yet strangely charismatic, someone the audience can’t help but root for despite his dark nature. Bai Lu as Ning'er also does an excellent job portraying a complex character who’s not just a villain but someone who’s deeply scarred by her past. The chemistry between the leads, particularly in the slow-burn romance between Ning'er and Xie Wei, is palpable, though the relationship dynamics are far from traditional. While the romance isn’t the main focus, it’s present enough to add emotional depth to the narrative. Overall, I enjoyed the series for its complexity and compelling characters, and Zhang Ling.